so how can you tell me
youre lonely?
and say for you that the sun doesnt shine.
oh let me take you by the hand
and lead you through the streets of london,
ill show you something
thatd make you change your mind.
roger whittaker, youdabomb.
girl had her first-ever-for-real picnic in Paris, France.
( the lucky biatch. )
but hey, she could never picnic in Singapore. the weather is warm and climate humid, and it wasnt a practical thing to do, in her concrete jungle homeland, where the option of al fresco dining at a coffeeshop was always available.
girl and her friend k were super-excited. after all, how many times did you get to picnic in france? at most, one. filled with romantic ideals and tasked to buy a spread for 5, they headed to the nearest supermarche.
(isnt it funny how picnics always throw people into a frenzy? in reality, the food will suck compared to a hot meal and the faintest drop of rain can foil the most carefully-made-up plans, but people still love a good picnic.) they picked out some camembert and gorgonzola (oh, how the rows upon rows of various yellow white soft hard runny smelly tangy cheese filled them up with delight ), some smoked salmon (because k, the foodie insisted - and it was really good), a bottle of the menthe (mint tea) and a bottle of wine costing 3.50E.
next, a visit to the boulangerie, from where the scent of freshly baked bread and croissant wafted sans arrete - who knew there were so many varieties of baguettes and boules! trying to act pro, girl ordered two types of baguettes: a plumpish fellow called a batard (literally bastard) and a thinner one au beurre. she was proud of this little accomplishment, and especially more so when she managed to get it decoupe into little slices for easier picnic facilitation. :D although this meant that the duo had to carry their baguette in a plastic bag tied up wet-market style, instead of carrying the whole stick(s) by hand, comme le french. (side note: the french carry baguettes everywhere. everywhere? EVERYWHERE. you see guys holding it by a piece of paper in the middle, and taking a bite out of it as and when they like; carrying four or more under their arms, poking out of their backpacks, and all sorts of other curious ways of carrying it on the bus, walking their dogs, waiting for the train, skateboarding, riding their bikes, etc)
the boucherie, as it so happened, was on the way to the metro, and the girl, still high from her success at the baker's decided to get some meat to go as well. after 5 minutes of waiting for her turn to be served by the elderly couple behind the counter, she knew she overestimated herself. the old ladies in front of her were buying 30-40 euros of meats and pates and rilettes and boudins!! and all she wanted was 5 slices of ham!! however, girl had developed a condition called bupasi (not afraid to die) while she was in France so she stood her ground. at most, if they chased her out of the store she could definitely outrun them. the old ladies were clearly regular customers of the mom and pop storeowners, and lots of banter was exchanged - recipes, social happenings, songs, cooking tips, meat and wine recommendations, etc. she almost wished it wasnt her turn so soon! eventually, it was, and the old couple was clearly befuddled by her request. nevertheless, they very politely cut her 5large slices of their cheaper hams (after she rejected their recommendation because it was a little more expensive- what insult!) and wished her a good picnic. sighhh i love happy old people :)
needless to say, it was a very happy picnic for the five friends when they settled around a public bench. no doubt the piegeons kept attacking and the foreign workers seated opposite kept staring at them, and they forgot they needed a tirer-bouche to open the bottle of wine so they tried to hack away the cork with a swiss knife but when they finally opened it the wine sucked to the core, but there was much fun and very much of laughter.
i guess thats why people love picnics. :)
